FIBA

New trade body FIBA launches




The Association of Bridging Professionals (AOBP) has revealed that it has changed its name to the Financial Intermediary & Broker Association (FIBA) as part of its evolution into a new, whole-of-market trade body.

The AOBP signalled it was considering a name change at its annual general meeting just over a year ago.

Today’s announcement follows a recent campaign for its launch party and annual conference , which is set to take place at the BAFTA 195 on Piccadilly on 17th January 2018. 

The now broader association – which announced its new lender committee in September – aims to become the natural home for all advisers, lenders and professional service providers, irrespective of product specialism, while maintaining its current emphasis on specialist property finance. 

FIBA will be able to offer its members new levels of support and commercial advantages through an even wider network of affiliates and partners. 

Wayne Smethurst, director of TFC Homeloans and executive committee member of FIBA, said it was an exciting day for the new association after all the hard work that had gone into its transformation.

“We are looking forward to taking our message to intermediaries and lenders across the finance sector and particularly to those who have not felt that there is an organisation that speaks to them or for them.” 

Wayne explained that the new association intended to complement existing arrangements that some of its members may already have in place.

“We are planning to be not only a dynamic organisation for members by providing access to exclusive lender and provider product and service initiatives, but also a campaigning voice which will look to represent the interests of all our members by engaging proactively with government, regulators and industry.”

As the primary supporter of the new Association, David Golder of SimplyBiz, added: “The AOBP has a long history of supporting brokers, lenders and advisers and we are delighted to be involved as an investor in ensuring this goes from strength to strength. 

“This is not our first investment in a not-for-profit business and we take seriously our collective responsibility to support best practice in the sector.”

All current members, lenders and associates of the AOBP – as well as all brokers, intermediaries and lenders involved in the finance industry – can attend the event next year by registering online.

Who is on the FIBA lender committee?

Castle Trust – Alex Upton
Funding 365 – Michael Strange
LendInvest – Matthew Tooth
Masthaven – Richard Deacon
Ortus Secured Finance – Richard Beenstock
Octopus Property – D’mitri Zaprzala
Precise Mortgages – Gareth Lewis
Regentsmead – Ashley Ilsen
Together – Nick Jones
Zorin Finance – Luke Townsend.

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